Staff and students at a Glasgow college have been sent an email detailing the signs to look for if they suspect they have meningitis after the latest case in the city.

Glasgow Kelvin College has taken the precaution of directing them to information about the bug after one of its students was taken to hospital.

The incident comes a week after two people from Strathclyde University were diagnosed with the potentially fatal bug.

The latest patient is said to be responding well to treatment and those who have been in close contact have also been given a course of antibiotics.

The cases are not being linked, but a college spokesman said it was working closely with the local health board.

The statement said: "The college is working closely with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Public Health ­Protection Unit (PHPU) to provide students and staff with advice on signs and symptoms as a precautionary measure. The affected student's close contacts have been identified and contacted, receiving medical advice from the PHPU.

"All students and staff have received an email from the director of curriculum, Robin Ashton, directing them to information and advice on the disease."

The college added that it wished the affected student a "full and speedy recovery".

Symptoms of the bug can include fever, severe headache, painful joints, dislike of bright lights, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting and drowsiness or confusion.

Two-thirds of people develop a rash or red and purple spots or bruises anywhere on the body.

The rash does not disappear when pressed with an object such as a glass.

The symptoms may not all appear at the same time and may not all be present.

Dr Gillian Penrice, consultant in public health medicine with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "While meningococcal disease is very serious and requires urgent attention, it responds quickly to antibiotics and is not easily passed from person to person.

"We know students are more at risk of getting meningitis just after starting university because they are mixing closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria.

"The Public Health Protection Unit takes all cases of meningococcal disease very seriously and takes prompt action.

"We encourage students who have received information leaflets to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease."

Students are more susceptible to contracting the virus shortly after they start the new term as they are mingling with new friends some of whom may not be aware they are carrying the meningococcal bacteria.